Title: Support and Respect - Part 3
Author: Michelle
Date: March 2004
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Buffy/Giles friendship
Summary: The end of season two told from Giles POV with a better ending.
Disclaimer: These are not my characters. They belong to Joss, Twentieth Century Fox, UPN, WB & Mutant Enemy. This is purely for fun.
Author’s note 1: This was written for the B/G Angstathon. This was my assignment:
1. lj/name: _closure_
2. season: 2
3. rating: Pg - 13
4. 1 thing you don't want: Joyce/Giles
5. 3 things you do want: Tears, Guilt and drama.
* * * * * * * * * *
“Surprise” written by Marti Noxon, directed by Michael Lange, transcribed by AleXander Thompson
“Innocence” written and directed by Joss Whedon, transcribed by AleXander Thompson
“Passion” written by Ty King, directed by Michael E. Gershman, transcribed by AleXander Thompson
“Becoming, Part 1 and written and directed by Joss Whedon, transcribed by AleXander Thompson
* * * * * * * * * *
I summoned all my strength and picked up the chair I’d been tied to. Angelus was caught off guard when I swung the chair and hit the back of his head. Pieces of the chair flew all around us.
Angelus must have assumed that Drusilla would stop me, as he didn’t even spare me a glance. I looked around to find Drusilla and was surprised to see Spike fighting with her. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Spike gave me a brief smile and tossed me a piece of the broken chair.
When I turned my attention back to Angelus, he was drawing a dagger across the palm of his hand. I lunged at him just as he turned towards me. He deflected the blow, causing me to drop the stake, and grabbed me by the throat. I knew I was going to die. I prayed it wasn’t for nothing.
As I started to lose consciousness, I heard Buffy’s voice.
“Hello, lover.”
Angelus let me fall to the floor as he turned his attention to the new threat. “I don't have time for you.”
“You don't have a lot of time left.”
I tried to think of a way to help Buffy. I knew she could defeat Angelus. She was physically capable of it, but I wasn’t certain she was emotionally ready to kill him, even after Jenny’s death.
As Buffy and Angelus fought, I tried to stand. I thought that maybe I could distract him enough for Buffy to gain the upper hand. When I was finally able to stand, other vampires had joined the fight. Buffy was fighting them as wall as Angelus.
“Giles ” a familiar voice shouted. It was Xander. “Can you walk?” he asked.
I nodded my head in response.
“Let’s go. Buffy wants me to get you out of here.”
“I can’t. I have to help Buffy,” I told him as he tried to push me towards the door.
“You can’t help her if you’re dead. You’re too weak. Besides, I promised Buffy that I’d make sure you’re safe.”
Reluctantly, I let Xander help me walk outside. Once there, I was able to convince him to let me rest.
“Okay, Giles. The sun’s out, so I don’t think we’re in much danger.”
I waited a short time with Xander while I gathered my strength once again When I was sure Xander wasn’t watching, I made my way back into the building. The site that greeted me almost made my heart stop.
Acathla was waking. Buffy hadn’t been able to stop Angelus from performing the ritual. I watched in horror as they fought, knowing she would need to kill him, but wishing I could spare her from it. It was the only way to close the portal. His blood opened it, and only his blood could close it.
She gained the advantage quickly. I watched as she raised her sword and prepared to kill her former lover. I didn’t think I could watch. I closed my eyes and waited. What I heard surprised me.
“Buffy? What's going on? Where are we? I don't remember.”
“Angel?”
I listened to Angel talk long enough to realize that Willow must have tried the spell again. She had cursed him again, but it had happened too late.
“You're hurt. Oh, Buffy. . . God. I. . . I feel like I haven't seen you in months. Oh, my God, everything's so muddled. I. . .”
I opened my eyes and looked at them. The portal behind them was larger. It needed to be closed. There was no time to waste. I didn’t think Buffy would kill him now.
“What's happening?” Angel asked.
“Shh. Don't worry about it,” Buffy told him.
I planned on taking the sword from her and killing him myself. I knew she would never forgive me, but I couldn’t sacrifice the world to save him.
I watched as they kissed and professed their love for each other. As I approached them, she told him to close his eyes. I stopped and waited, still prepared to take the sword from her, but there was no need. She kissed him one last time before thrusting the sword into his chest.
“Buffy.” Angel called out to her as the portal closed, taking him with it.
I watched Buffy for a long moment as she stared at the statue of Acathla. I didn’t know what to say, but I needed to say something. “Buffy?”
She turned to me with tears in her eyes. “Giles? I thought. . .”
“Xander helped me, but I couldn’t leave you.” I stepped closer and wiped a tear from her cheek with my handkerchief. “Are you all right?”
“I don’t know.”
“Maybe you should go home and get some rest,” I suggested.
“No. I can’t go home. My mom doesn’t want me there.”
“I’m sure that’s not true.”
“But it is, Giles. I saved her from a vampire last night, and all she did was get angry and tell me I couldn’t go out. I tried to explain that I needed to save the world. She didn’t care. She thought I was lying again.”
“Buffy, you’ve been out all night. She’ll be worried. Please let me take you home.”
“Can’t I go to your place instead? I won’t be any trouble. Please don’t make me go home.”
“Only if you agree to let me call your mother. I want to let her know you are all right.”
“Okay,” she said quietly.